Nets Not Interested In Dwight Howard

League sources shot down a report Tuesday the Nets were interested in once again pursuing Lakers center Dwight Howard, after spending all of last season trying to acquire him while he was with the Magic.

The report, from the website RealGM, said the Nets were planning to pursue a possible three-team trade with the Lakers and Timberwolves that would result in Howard joining the Nets, Brook Lopez heading to Minnesota and Kevin Love going to the Lakers despite Love being sidelined with a broken hand.

The Nets, meanwhile, have been thrilled with Lopez, who is averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in just under 30 minutes per game, helping the Nets to a 25-16 record through the first half of the season. Lopez is expected to be selected to his first All-Star team when the reserves are announced tomorrow night.